Prep softball: Naples High unbeaten as it tries to shake off end of 2012

The Naples High softball team is back where it expects to be following the unexpected end to last season.

The Golden Eagles are 10-0 heading into the meat of their schedule this spring. The fast start is a welcomed turnaround from the startling finish to 2012 in which Naples saw its state record postseason streak come to an end.

Naples lost in the district semifinals last season, halting a streak of 14 straight district championships for one of Florida's marquee softball programs. It also ended the Eagles' string of 23 straight regional appearances, longest in Florida High School Athletic Association history.

"We worked a lot, pretty much through the whole offseason," senior infielder Taylor Manning said. "We were ready to get back out there and come back stronger."

The hard work of the Eagles' multitude of returners has paid off.

Naples graduated just one senior from last year's young team, part-time starter Courtney Kramer. With nearly the entire roster back, the Eagles have the experience and leadership they might have lacked the past few seasons.

The Golden Eagles have been led in the dugout and on the field by a trio of three-year varsity players — seniors Manning, Courtney Hogrefe and Kelly Olson. Not only are they team captains, but they bat Nos. 1, 2 and 4 in the order, respectively.

"They were green two years ago, but they've stepped out and took charge," said Robert Iamurri, in his 28th year coaching Naples. "We're a little more mature this year."

In the most recent Miracle Sports softball poll, Naples is ranked No. 2 in Class 6A and seventh among all classes. The Eagles are one of only two undefeated teams in 6A.

Iamurri said the Eagles aren't out for revenge from last year, the first time they've missed the state playoffs since starting fastpitch in 1989. Yet so far this season, Naples has earned redemption.

The Eagles are 6-0 against Collier County opponents. Naples has wins over Barron Collier, which beat the Eagles twice last season, and Gulf Coast, which handed the Eagles their first district tournament loss since 1997.

Naples might not have the best hitting or pitching, Iamurri said, but the Eagles are balanced. As a veteran group, they're also smart and savvy. In recent wins over Barron Collier and Bishop Verot, the coach said his team might not have been better, but it played better when it counted.

"They might have been better athletes than us," Iamurri said, "we just happened to have timely hitting in both games. ... I don't think we're a dominant team, but we're a solid team."

The Eagles admit they have yet to play elite competition, but they have a big test coming up. Naples is among a handful of top-10 teams in the Doc 4 Life tournament April 5 and 6 hosted by Belleview High near Ocala.

The event will serve as postseason preparation, and the Eagles will see just how much improved this year's team is. Naples will then host the Longshore tournament the following weekend at North Collier Regional Park.

"We're more consistent than last year," Manning said. "We work really well together as a team, and we take advantage of other teams' mistakes. We just have to keep doing what we're doing. It's working pretty well."